The Texas Senate has approved a new Republican-favored congressional map, sending it to Governor Greg Abbott for signature. Passed 18-11 along party lines after hours of debate, the map adds five districts likely to help Republicans maintain their congressional majority in the 2026 midterms. Abbott is expected to sign it, while Democrats plan to challenge it in court, Al Jazeera reported.

The redistricting has already influenced the race: Democratic Representative Lloyd Doggett said he may retire if his district overlaps with another Democrat under the new map. The move reflects a broader national push by Trump and Republican-led states to redraw maps for electoral advantage, while California recently approved a voter referendum on its own Democratic-favored map.

Supreme Court rules allow partisan—but not racial—gerrymandering, and states can redraw districts mid-decade, according to Al Jazeera.